Profiles of the Top 22 Pitchers for the 2012 MLB Draft: Andrew Heaney

With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher. To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft.

I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them.  I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here.I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer.  Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos.

Profile 10: Andrew Heaney

Profile/Stats:

Andrew Heaney is a Junior at Oklahoma State University. He throws left handed. He was born on June 5thof 1991. He is from Oklahoma City, OK and went to Putnam City High School. He is listed at 6'2" and 174 lbs. This season he started in 13 games and he is 8-1 with 1.59 ERA, 19 BB and 120 Ks in 102 IP. He also has 5 complete games. Has been a 3 -year starter but he relieved in a few games in his freshman and sophomore season. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 24th round of the 2009 season but did not sign.

Mini Scouting Report:

Andrew Heaney's fastball is a plus pitch averaging 90-91 mph and touching 93 mph. It has a good cut and sink to right hand hitters. He is one of the few pitchers to throw a screwball (high 70s up to 80) and is his best secondary offering. He has a slurve and a change up, both which are average and there is room for improvement, esp. on his change up. He has an easy delivery and a 3/4 arm slot. He is a fast worker on the mound. Has been compared to a young Jamie Moyer.

Videos/Photos:

Here is a close to 8 minute video of a Cape Cod League appearance in 2011:







Here is a scouting video from Cape Cod League:







Here is a video with Oklahoma State:







Here is a post-game interview:

Profiles of the Top 22 Pitchers for the 2012 MLB Draft: Lucas Giolito

With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher. To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft.

I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them.  I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here.  I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer.  Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos.

Profile 9: Lucas Giolito

Profile/Stats:

Lucas Giolito is a senior at Harvard-Westlake High School in Encino, CA, like another top High School pitching prospect, Max Fried. Both Fried and Giolito have committed to play for the same College, UCLA. He is listed at 6'6" and 220 lbs. He was born on July 14, 1994. He throws right handed. He was shut down for most of 2012 with a strained UCL.


Mini Scouting Report:

His fastball is a plus plus pitch. It sits at 94-95 and occasionally jumps to 99-100 mph. It has good downward movement and he has very good control of it; however the command (especially on the lower part of the zone is developing). His curve ball is above average and potentially can be a plus pitch at 81-82 mph. He is working on his change up which is a work in progress. His delivery is somewhat slow and deliberate. Would need work to improve his time from wind up to the plate.

Videos/Photos:

Here is a video of Giolito pitching in a game as a Junior:

 

Here is a scouting video from last February (2012) :



Here is his no-hitter and a brief interview afterwards a year ago



Here is a close to eight minute scouting video from last year



His Perfect Game profile page has several Videos of Giolito from 2010 and 2011.

Profiles of the Top 22 Pitchers for the 2012 MLB Draft: Kevin Gausman

With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher. To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft.

I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them.  I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here.I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer.  Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos.

Profile 8: Kevin Gausman

Profile/Stats:

Kevin John Gausman is a draft-eligible sophomore at Louisiana State University. He throws right handed. He was born on January 6th, 1991. He is from Centennial, CO and went to Grandview High School. He is listed at 6'4" and 185 lbs. In his senior season in High School he went 9-2 with a 3.12 ERA and 14 walks and 88 strike outs. In his College Freshman season he went 5-4 in 14 GS (89.2 IP) allowing 23 walks and 85 strike outs with a 3.51 ERA. He made 2 starts for the US Collegiate National team in 2011, pitching for 8.2 innings, allowing 2 runs with 3 walks and 9 strikeouts. In the current season, Gausman is 8-1 in 13 GS. He pitched 91.2 innings, allowing 81 hits and 34 runs, 21 bases on balls and 112 strikeouts, for a 2.95 ERA and a .235 opponent's batting average. He also had 11 wild pitches. Here is an interview of Kevin Gausman by Jeremy Nygaard of ManCenter.com. Gausmann was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth round of the 2010 draft.

Mini Scouting Report:

Gausman has four pitches: a fastball, a curve, a slider and a change up. The fastball is a plus pitch, sometimes a dominating pitch, and is surely his best pitch. It sits in the mid 90s with occasionally hitting 98-99 especially early in games. He has good control and command and he has been throwing it with various arm angles. His slider is better than his curve, with a tight hard break and it may become his primary breaking ball. His curve is a slow 12-6 curve that needs a bit of work. His changeup is a borderine plus pitch and it is his best secondary offering. He needs better consistency with his mechanics to be able to command his pitches a bit better.

Videos/Photos:

Here is a three minute video of Kevin Gausman pitching with LSU against Arkansas:







Here is a sixteen minute scouting video of Kevin Gausman:







Here is his profile as a High School student:







And here is a video about his routine and superstitions from this season, including an obsession with eating powder doughnuts in-between innings:

Who is NOT Hot in the Twins minors? 2012 version 2

This is the second version of the 'who is NOT hot in the Twins' minors' series for 2012. I have been doing the Who is hot in the Minors series for a few years now and I decided that a complimentary list might be in order. I will be updating those every month or so, as well. The current "who IS hot" list can be found here and the former "who is NOT hot" list can be found here.  This list is getting smaller, but it is unfortunate to see one of the Twins' top prospects (Adrian Salcedo) in it.

Without further ado, here is the list, going from AAA to A. The clubs represented are AAA Rochester Red Wings, International League, AA New Britain Rock Cats, Eastern League, A+ Fort Myers Miracle, Florida State League, A Beloit Snappers, Midwest League (Note: Yesterday's games are not reflected) :











Catchers:

Rene Rivera (RHB, 28, AAA) .169/.250/.277 2 HR, 3 RBI, 73 PA
Kyle Knudson (RHB, 24, A) .154/.154/.154 0 HR, 1 RBI, 15 PA


Infielders:

Danny Valencia (RHB, 27, AAA) .125/.125/.188 1 RBI, 16 PA
Estarlin De Los Santos (SHB, 25, AA) .169/.233/.205 0 HR, 5 RBI, 91 PA
Andy Leer (RHB, 24, A+) .175/.246/.302 0 HR, 2 RBI, 71 PA


Outfielders:

Rene Tosoni (LHB, 25, AAA) .125/.222/.167 0 HR, 3 RBI, 55 PA
Joe Benson (RHB, 24, AA/AAA) .164/.252/.276 2 HR, 8 RBI, 131 PA
Marc Dolenc (RHB, 27, AA) .141/.176/.141 0 HR, 1 RBI, 76 PA
Danny Rams (RHB, 23, A+) .069/.206/.069 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2 H, 34 PA


1st basemen/DH:

Matt Rizzotti (LHB, 26, AAA/AA) .256/.256/.282 0 HR, 5 RBI, 2 H, 39 PA
Rory Rhodes (RHB, 20, A) .146/.204/.188 0 HR, 4 RBI, 54 PA


RH Starters:

Daryl Thompson (26, AAA) 4.5a ERA, 1.604 WHIP, 6.15 K/9, 1.1 K/BB
Madison Boer (22, A/A+) 6.81 ERA, 1.739 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 1.53 K/BB
Adrian Salcedo (21, A+) 5.64 ERA, 1.881 WHIP, 5.24 K/9, 0.87 K/BB
Marty Popham (24, A+) 4.66 ERA, 1.578 WHIP, 5.35 K/9, 1.21 K/BB



LH Starters:

none

RH Relievers:

Brendan Wise (26, AAA) 5.66 ERA, 1.935 WHIP, 5.23 K/9, 1.2 K/BB


LH Relievers:

Edgar Ibarra (23, A+) 4.63 ERA, 1.629 WHIP, 5.79 K/9, 1.88 K/BB

Profiles of the Top 22 Pitchers for the 2012 MLB Draft: Max Fried

With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher. To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft.

I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them. I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here.  I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer.  Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos.

Profile 7: Max Fried

Profile/Stats:

Max Fried is a senior at Harvard-Westlake High School in Encino, CA, like another top High School pitching prospect, Lucas Giolito. Max Fried transferred there for from Montclair Prep for his senior season. It is interesting that both Fried and Giolito have committed to play for the same College, UCLA. He is listed at 6'4" and 175 lbs. He was born on January 18, 1994. He throws left handed. He is a 2012 Rollings first team All-American. In addition to pitching he has played in the OF and 1B where he compiled a .360/.455/.627 line as a Junior. As a Junior pitcher he pitched 69.2 innings, allowing 44 hits, walking 38 and striking out 100, for a 1.31 ERA.

Mini Scouting Report:

He has a plus fastball that sits at 89-90 and bursts into 92-93 with excellent movement and occasional sink. His best pitch is his plus plus curveball, which has a tight hammer-like break. His FB velocity is projected to increase as he fills up. He is throwing a changeup which is average at this point but projects to develop. His delivery mechanics are good, but he needs to maintain a consistent arm slot. He is releasing at 3/4. Has good control but needs to be able to command all his pitches better, especially low in the strike zone.

Videos/Photos:

Here is a five minute scouting video of Max Fried from a High School Game this January:







Here is an almost six minute video from his performance at the perfect game showcase last summer:







Here is a 3 minute Scouting video from this April







His Perfect Game profile page has links to 3 additional videos from his National Showcase performance in 2011

Who is Hot in the Twins minors? 2012 version 2

This is the second version of the 'who is hot in the Twins' minors' series for 2012. About a month and a half into the minor league seasons now, a lot of changes have happened on the pitching leaders from the last "who is hot" list, mainly because of promotions and because PJ Walters and Scott Diamond are now excluded from the list. Nice to see that there are reliable relief corps throughout the organization, including the AAA.

The bats have cooled considerably, but there are a lot of new bats in the minors and Wilken Ramirez and Miguel Sano continue their domination.

Here is the list, going from AAA to A. The clubs represented are AAA Rochester Red Wings, International League, AA New Britain Rock Cats, Eastern League, A+ Fort Myers Miracle, Florida State League, A Beloit Snappers, Midwest League (does not include yesterday's games) :





Catchers:

Matthew Koch (RHB, 23, A) .235/.409/.353, 6 2B, 68 PA

Infielders:

Deibinson Romero (RHB, 25, AA) .264/.350/.430 3 HR, 21 RBI, 140 PA
Jairo Perez (RHB, 24, A+) .257/.367/.450 3 HR, 13 RBI, 128 PA
Miguel Sano (RHB, 19, A) .293/.410/.639 11 HR, 35 RBI, 161 PA
Eddie Rosario (LHB, 20, A) .289/.381/.467 3 HR, 21 RBI, 7 SB, 155 PA

Outfielders:

Clete Thomas (LHB, 28, AAA) .280/.333/.480, 1 RBI, 28 PA
Matt Carson (RHB, 30, AAA) .289/.367/.413, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 121 PA
Wilkin Ramirez (RHB, 26, A+/AA/AAA) .359/.388/.688, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 2 SB, 67 PA
Aaron Hicks (SHB, 22, AA) .258/.347/.414 4 HR, 21 RBI, 9 SB, 150 PA
Oswaldo Arcia (LHB, 21, A+) .286/.349/.455 2 HR, 21 RBI 127 PA
Lance Ray (LHB, 22, A+) .239/.331/.440 4 HR, 25 RBI, 130 PA

1st basemen/DH:

Chris Colabello (RHB, 28, AA) .242/.326/.442 5 HR, 21 RBI, 139 PA

RH Starters:

Liam Hendriks (23, AAA) 1.54 ERA, 0.857 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 3 K/BB (11.2 IP)
Cole DeVries (27, AAA) 4.19 ERA, 1.241 WHIP, 7.22 K/9, 4.43 K/BB (38.2 IP)
BJ Hermsen (22, A+/AA) 1.66 ERA, 0.900 WHIP, 5.19 K/9, 3.57 K/BB (43.1 IP)
Tim Shibuya (22, A) 2.83 ERA, 1.257 WHIP, 7.71 K/9, 4.29 K/BB (35 IP)

LH Starters:

Andrew Albers (26, AA) 4.50 ERA. 1.310 WHIP, 7.29 K/0, 11.33 K/BB (42 IP)
Jason Wheeler (21, A) 2.84 ERA, 1.289 WHIP, 6.16 K/9, 2.89 K/BB (38 IP)

RH Relievers:

Anthony Slama (28, AAA) 0.51 ERA, 1.132 WHIP, 14.26 K/9, 2.55 K/BB (17.2 IP)
Deolis Guerra (23,AA/AAA) 1.14 ERA, 0.761 WHIP, 9.51 K/9, 5 K/BB (23.2 IP)
Lester Oliveros (24, AA/AAA) 1.42 ERA, 0.895 WHIP, 7.58 K/9, 2.29 K/BB (19 IP)
Dan Turpen (25, AA) 3.79 ERA, 0.947 WHIP, 10.42 K/9, 22 K/BB (19 IP)
Bobby Lanigan (25, AA) 2.84 ERA, 1.211 WHIP, 8.53 K/9, 9 K/BB (23 IP)
David Bromberg (24, AA) 3.91 ERA, 1.217 WHIP, 8.61 K/9, 2.2 K/BB
Miguel Munoz (23, A+) 2.77 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 5.54 K/9, 4 K/BB (13 IP)
Ricky Bowen (24, A+) 1.93 ERA, 1.114 WHIP, 7.33 K/9, 3.8 K/BB (23.1 IP)
AJ Achter (23, A) 0.86 ERA, 0.952 WHIP, 9.86 K/9, 4.60 K/BB (21 IP)
Michael Tonkin (22, A) 2.05 ERA, 1.136 WHIP, 9.00 K/9, 7.33 K/BB (22 IP)

LH Relievers:

Caleb Thielbar (25, A+/AA) 1.35 ERA, 0.950 WHIP, 9 K/9, 4 K/BB (20 IP)
Nelvin Fuentes (23 A/A+) 3.05 ERA, 1.210 WHIP, 9.15 K/9, 3.5 K/BB (20.2 IP)
Ryan O'Rourke (24, A) 4.08 ERA, 1.132 WHIP, 7.13 K/9, 3.5 K/BB (17.2 IP)
Matthew Tomshaw (23, A) 2.54 ERA, 0.988 WHIP, 7.31 K/9, 5.75 K/BB (28.1 IP, 4 GS)
Corey Williams (21, A) 3.77 ERA, 1.326 WHIP, 11.30 K/9, 2.57 K/BB (14.1 IP)

Profiles of the Top 22 Pitchers for the 2012 MLB Draft: Zach Eflin

With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher. To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft.

I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them.  I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here.  I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer.  Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos.

Profile 6: Zach Eflin

Profile/Stats:

Zach Eflin is a senior at Hagerty High Scholl in Oviedo,FL. He is listed at 6'5" and 200 lbs. He was born on April 8, 1994 and he throws Right Handed. In his current season, Eflin is 5-2 with a 0.55 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched. ESPN published great article on Zach, discussing how he used baseball to escape from a difficult home situation. Eflin nissed all the month of April with tricep tendonitis, but his MRI is clear and has returned to action earlier this month. He committed to play for the University of Central Florida.

Mini Scouting Report:

Efling has good control of his above average fastball that averages 91-93 mph with occasional 94-95 mph spikes and good movement. His changeup is a plus pitch, sits from 79-82 mph and has good fade an sink. He is working on spike curveball which is a major work in progress and will probably turn into a slider as he progresses. His stamina is somewhat questionable, since the velocity and effectiveness of his fastball has been decreasing in the later innings. His delivery is effortless and his frame is projectible.

Videos/Photos:

Here is a video of Zach Eflin pitching at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, FL.







His Perfect Game Profile Page has a link to his 2011 National Showcase video.

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• While Brian Duensing is stretched out to be a starter, I think that the Twins should fill at least one or maybe two rotation spots on an "internship"-like way: Promote a new pitcher from the minors every week to make a start. That might work pretty well, based on the recent first starts by Scott Diamond and P.J. Walters.
• One of the things I am doing these days and will finish before the draft, is to publish profiles of the top 22 pitchers available in the draft (given that the Twins will likely select pitching early and often.) I am doing this is alphabetical order, and you can find them all here in reverse alphabetical order, so check often. I am planning on doing those daily for the rest of May.
• On a sad note, Aaron Bates was released from Rochester (along with Joe Thurston) to make room for Lester Oliveros and Wilken Ramirez who were promoted to Rochester from New Britain.  Aaron was one of the last Twins' cuts this Spring Training and I always thought that he could be up with the Twins this season some time.
• Apparently the Twins cannot spell their own player's names even in the official lineup cards...
• It sounds like Ben Revere is growing.
• Kyle Gibson's rehab is going according the schedule
• On the other hand, here is another first hand testimony on the Twins' medical staff.
• Here isa great article about Miguel Sano by Jesse Temple of FSNorth.
• A Really interesting article about Twins' prospect AJ Pettersen is here. (Also form FSNorth)
• And here is a really great article about Brian Dozier and his early years in baseball. (From the St. Paul Newspaper)
• Alex Wimmers got a second opinion on his elbow and rest and rehab is the prescription.
• 23 year old Gopher Senior RP Dustin Klabunde has been opening some eyes and might be drafted in the later rounds next month.
• Apparently, the Rochester Yankees Red Wings are too poor to add nameplates on Pedro Florimon's, Clete Thomas' and Danny Valencia's jerseys as witnessed in the MLB Network nationally televised game of the Red Wings in Syracuse.  Very embarrassing.  Little League.
• Speaking of Rochester, the local Democrat & Chronicle Red Wings' Yankees' beat writer, decided to take a break from covering the Yankees on his blog and wrote this inflammatory nonsense, practically threatening the Twins, if they take the best players from Rochester to help their club. Alright... Memo to Rochester: Affiliated minor league clubs exist to serve the major league club they are affiliated with. If you do not like it, the independent leagues are just around the block.  See if that fits you all better.
• The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Blade Sunglasses

The parting shot today is of Ryan Doumit, who has turned it up big time the last week or so:







As always you can find all the Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits Posts here, in reverse chronological order.

Profiles of the Top 22 Pitchers for the 2012 MLB Draft: Ryan Burr

With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher. To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft.

I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them.  I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here.I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer.  Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos.

Profile 5: Ryan Burr

Profile/Stats:

Ryan Burr is a senior at Highlands Ranch High School in Highlands Ranch, CO. He is listed at 6'4" and 190 lbs. He was born on May 28th 1994. He throws right handed. He is a Perfect Game All-American. This season he started in 6 games, pitched 32 innings, had a 3.29 ERA, struck out 55 and walked 17 while holding opponents to a .195 average. He also hit 5 batters and threw 2 wild pitches. He committed to play for Arizona State University.

Mini Scouting Report:

He has a plus fastball that sits at 92-93 with good movement. He had good control and command of it and occasionally jumps at 94-95. He has a sharp curveball, which is average and a change up which is a developing pitch. His velocity is projected to increase as he fills up. His delivery mechanics are excellent and his delivery is effortless.

Videos/Photos:

Here is a six minute scouting video from a game last October:



here is a video from his perfect game showcase:



and here is a video of Burr pitching in a game at the High School Invitational late March of this year:



His Perfect Game Profile Page has links to a video from his 2011 showcase and of a game.

Profiles of the Top 22 Pitchers for the 2012 MLB Draft: Chris Beck

With the Twins having a severe need for pitching in the organization as well as six picks among the top 100, it is certain that more than one of those picks (and probably the second overall pick) will be used to draft a pitcher.  To this respect, I am presenting profiles of the top 22 pitching prospects for the 2012 MLB draft.

I will be presenting these alphabetically, and at the end I will rank them.  I will be doing about one a day and I will finish before the June 4th draft day. You can find all the profiles (in reverse alphabetical order) as they are presented here.I will start with RJ Alvarez and end with Kyle Zimmer.  Each profile with contain a bit of background information and statistics, a mini scouting report and videos and photos.


Profile 4: Chris Beck

Profile/Stats:

Chris Beck is a junior at Georgia Southern and a three-year player there. He is from Jefferson, GA and went to Jefferson High School. He is listed at 6'3" and 235 lbs. He was born of September 4, 1990. He throws Right handed. He was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 35th round of the 2009 Draft. In his current season he started 12 games and relieved in one and is 4-6 (84.2 IP) with a 3.72 ERA, 22 BB and 97 strikeouts allowing a .274 opponent batting average. Last summer in the Cape Cod league he had a 1.62 ERA, 52 IP, striking out 41 and walking 13. His best collegiate season was in 2011 when he went 9-5 in 103 IP, walked 40 and struck out 109, allowing a .211 OBA.


Mini Scouting Report:

His fastball averages around 93-94 mph with occasional bursts at 95 has excellent control but needs work with his command. It is an above average pitch. He has a slurve that is a plus pitch and sits at mid 80s and can be his out pitch. His changeup is at the mid 80s and needs work to be consistent but has a nice late downward movement when thrown as intended and potentially can be a plus pitch. Has a nice natural delivery.

Videos/Photos:

Here is a video of Chris Beck from the Cape Cod league:



Here is an interview post-game: